Level



J. B. BOYD March ,7, 1939.

LEVEL Filed April 28, 1938 zy ef In venior 4da-L A iomeys Patented Mar. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l Claim.

Ihe present invention relates to new and useful improvements in liquid levels and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character embodying a novel construction and arrangement for expeditiously and accurately levelling two comparatively remote and usually difdcult points, such as on the inside and outside of a building, around corners, on opposite sides oi' a wall or partition, etc.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a liquid level of the aforementioned character embodying a novel construction and arrangement for venting and for preventing the escape of the uid.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a level of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efllcient and reliable in use, compact and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following speciilcation, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a level constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in vertical section through one end portion of the device, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Figure 3 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on tne line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a pair of tubes I of suitable transparent material, preferably glass. At an intermediate point, the glass tubes I are provided with a transverse liquid level indicating line 2. On their lower ends the glass tubes I are provided with depending necks 3 to which the end portions of a ilexible conduit or hose 4 are connected, thus establishing communication between said tubes I. The hose 4 may be of any suitable length and diameter. The glass tubes I and the hose l are for the reception of a suitable nonfreezing liquid, as indicated at 5.

At their upper ends, the tubes I terminate in cones providing seats 6. Vents 1 are provided in the apices of the cones 6. Float valves 8 are provided for operation on the liquid 5in the glass tubes I, said oat valves being engageable with the seats 6 for closing the ports or vents 'I for preventing the escape of said liquid 5. The float valves 3 are provided with vertical air channels or grooves l in their sides.

'I'he glass tubes I are enclosed in housings Il vided with vents I2.

of suitable material, preferably metal, said housings having openings or windows II therein for observing the level of the liquid 5 in the tubes I. The upper portions of the housings I are pro- Removable plugs or caps I3 are threadedly mounted in the upper end portions of the housings III. Gaskets I4 of suitable material are provided in the caps I3 for closing the vents I when desired. This is shown to advantage in Fig. 2 of the drawing. Apertured lugs I rise from the caps I3 for hanging the device on suitable supports, when desired,'such as nails or hooks.

It is thought that the operation of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. The transparent tubes I constitute gauges which, as indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawing, are held at the points to be levelled and the liquid in said tubes is observed through the openings or windows II in the housings I0. Should one of the tubes I be lowered, thus raising the level oi" the liquid therein, the float valve 8 in that tube will rise with the liquid and engage the seat 6, thus closing the vent I and preventing the loss or escape of said liquid. When the instrument is not in use the caps I3 may be screwed down on the housings I0 for closing the vents 1 in the upper ends of the tubes I.

It is believed that the many advantages of a liquid level constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed isz- A levcl of the class described comprising a flexible conduit, transparent tubes having one end connected to the ends of said conduit, said tubes and conduits for the reception of a liquid, said tubes including substantially conical end portions providing valve seats and having vents in the apices thereof, float valves operable in the tubes on the liquid and engageable with the seats for closing the vents, said iloat valves having longitudinal air channels in the sides thereof, substantially cylindrical housingsenclosing the tubes and having openings therein exposing said tubes, one end portion of the housings being spaced from the conical end portions of the tubes and having vents therein, removable caps threadediy mounted on said one end portion of the housings, gaskets in said caps engageable with the tubes for closing the vents therein, and apertured lugs integral with the caps for suspending the level on a support.

JOHN B. BOYD. 

